Sermon - AudioDaniel 4-6 - Audio
Daniel 4-6 - Reading
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The Story of King Nebuchadnezzar is a minitragedy in the literary sense of *tragedy. Nebuchadnezzar is afflicted by the overweening pride that characterizes the tragic heroes of Greek tragedy. Tragedy is the spectacle of exceptional calamity, and Nebuchadnezzar’s political stature makes his fall exceptional, as does the extreme humiliation to which he descends. But the story has a surprise ending that turns the tragedy into a U-shaped *comic plot, as the king humbly praises God and is rewarded by a return to his kingly honor (vv. 34–37). The heroism of Daniel again lies in his ability to interpret dreams. The motif of divine sovereignty is important in the entire book of Daniel, and in this chapter a pagan king learns who is sovereign. -ESVLB-
*This unique chapter is the testimony of a Gentile king about how God changed his heart. This is a prime example of how a few witnesses of God influenced a powerful ruler/nation.
v3- Everlasting Kingdom - The king realizes that his is a temporary kingdom, but God's is forever.
v4-9
asleep - the king had a false sense of security while believing in other Gods. This is before the One True God enters the picture.
Daniel vs Interp - Daniel, the man of God, is contrasted here from the pagan interpreters.
Impression - Notice that the king had previously placed Daniel and his friends in places of influence within his kingdom. However, Nebuchadnezzar had been influenced by these men, but it wasn't until he encountered the power of God through their obedience that he acknowledge Daniel's God.
v10-17
tree - symbol of size, strength, etc
Summary of Dream - In this dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw an enormous tree whose top touched the heavens. While Nebuchadnezzar was looking on, however, a watcher, a holy one (an angel commissioned to carry out God’s judgment on earth) came down and ordered that the tree be cut down. The tree was not utterly destroyed, however: its stump was to remain in the ground for seven periods of time (the text does not explain the length of time, but “seven” signifies completion and most ancient and modern scholars have argued it was “seven years”), bound in iron and bronze.
19 - Thoughts alarmed him / dismayed - Clearly Daniel understands the magnitude of this dream of the kings. It seems that Daniel has compassion for the king.
22 - This verse echos 2 Sam 12:7 with David and the prophet Nathan.
23 - The image of the cosmic tree reaching to the heavens (v. 11) is reminiscent of the Tower of Babel (see Gen. 11:4). Such hubris inevitably ends in disaster, and the divine lumberjack would bring the mighty tree crashing to the ground, removing it from its place of influence and glory.
*Nebuchadnezzar had failed to do justice and love mercy with his great influence and power. The result for him will be 4:25-26.
v27 - Daniel calls him to practice righteousness, and show mercy in light of the circumstances.
v29 -v33 - One year went by. This period of time was seemingly a trial so the king would repent and change his ways. However, he is shown here as wanting glory and recognition for himself. The horrific prophecy is fulfilled in light of his unrepentant heart.
v34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar’s Exaltation. At the end of God’s appointed time of judgment, Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes to heaven and his reason was restored. Once brought low by God, he was brought back to the heights and restored to control of his kingdom, demonstrating that the Lord is able both to humble the proud and to exalt the humble. The great and mighty persecutor of Israel, the destroyer of Jerusalem, was humbled by God’s grace and brought to confess God’s mercy. He blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever. God used Daniel’s faithfulness to bring light to this Gentile. -ESVSB-
Daniel 5
The handwriting on the wall [ chapter 5 ]. Daniel appears again as the heroic interpreter of dreams for a Babylonian king. In an episode rich in atmosphere, the scene of action is the luxurious and decadent court of Belshazzar, with the decadence rendered all the more abhorrent by the desecration of the vessels that had been plundered from the temple in Jerusalem (vv. 2–4). The episode turns into a phantasmagoria of shocking events, beginning with a disembodied hand that writes a mysterious message on the wall. Daniel steps into the horror with his characteristic confidence and charisma, interpreting the dream and announcing God’s judgment against the evil king. In one of the most ironic events recorded in the Bible, Belshazzar responds to the message of doom by elevating Daniel to the position of third ruler in the kingdom that very night, but that night the kingdom falls to Darius the Mede. -ESVLB-
Belshazzar: According to Babylonian records, Belshazzar became coregent in the third year of Nabonidus’ reign (553 b.c.) and continued in that capacity till the fall of Babylon (539 b.c.). Nebuchadnezzar was not the direct father of Belshazzar. Either he was his grandfather through his mother’s side, or he was his father in the sense of having previously occupied the throne Belshazzar now sat on. Either usage of the term father was accepted in ancient times.
v4 - We see a scene playing out that is not pleasing to God.
v5 - God writes on the wall.
v7 - The man who can read the words on the wall will be exalted in the kingdom to the highest place possible.
v10-12 - Daniel is known for interpreting dreams, because of his work with Nebuchadnezzar. Again, Daniel is contrasted as being able to do this miracle (interpretation) while the others can not.
v14 - What do the people know about Daniel? "I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you."
Q. Would our community say the same about us?
v17 - Daniel seems less troubled this time. While he had a relationship with Nebuchadnezzar, it doesn't seem that way with Belshazzar.
v18 - Remember, that it is God who gives.
v17-23 - Belshazzar was aware of the One True God and yet decided to not recognize and worship Him. This is a continuing pattern throughout the Bible. I'm hoping that we've caught this by now.
30-31 - Belshazzar is killed that night and Darius a sub-king under Cyrus the Persian took over. He is referred to in secular history as Gubaru.
Daniel 6
Daniel in the lions’ den [ chapter 6 ]. It is obvious that the storyteller has selected the most spectacular events in Daniel’s life for inclusion in his minianthology of hero stories. Chapter 6 is perhaps the most striking event in Daniel’s life. The scene shifts forward to the rule of yet another great king of the ancient world, the Persian king Darius. Daniel is again presented as a hero of loyalty to God in the face of testing that comes in the form (again) of compulsory emperor worship. The specifics belong to an ancient world, but the principles involved are as close as our daily experience. The story of testing ends as a *rescue story and a story of virtue rewarded and vice punished (the slanderers are destroyed [v. 24]).
v3 - Daniel was one of three leaders directly under Darius, and he shined above the other two leaders because he had an "Excellect Spirit." - he had a good attitude in his work and life and this made him the object of attack.
v4-9 - There is a plot underway to get Daniel in trouble, but he is such a great citizen that they know there is nothing to arrest him for. However, the men know that Daniel is so dedicated to God that he will not do anything against him...no matter the consequence.
Thought - What an amazing thing to say about someone's character. Even those who want to do ill towards Daniel know the possibility of disobedience to God is the only way to hurt him.
Thought - Notice that it is through pride that Darius is tricked.
*Daniel was one of these governors and was NEVER consulted...the men hid their lies when speaking to Darius.
*It was an established principle in the Medo-Persian Empire that when a king formally signed and instituted a decree, it was so binding that not even the king himself could change it. The decrees of a Persian king were unchangeable because he was thought to speak for the gods, who could never be wrong and never needed to change their minds.
v10-13 - Daniel knew the consequences and radically followed after God. It didn't matter...he would choose to continue on God's path.
v14 - Darius loved Daniel and tried to figure out how he would save him.
v15 - the men get their wish for Daniel.
v16 - "SERVE CONTINUALLY" - It is clear once again that everyone is aware of the love Daniel has for God. He is continually obedient to God.
v16 - Darius once again acknowledges God and knows that there is still hope for Daniel.
v17-18 - To make sure that no outside help was given to Daniel, the mouth of the den was covered with a stone, which was then sealed with the signet rings of the king and his lords. Humanly speaking, Daniel was left all alone to face his fate. -ESVSB
v19-20 - Thought - Again, "serve continually" and Darius recognizing God as the Living God.
Thought - Daniel slept better in the midst of lions, than Darius did in his palace.
v22 - Daniel is not only blameless before God, but man as well.
v24 - We see the it wasn't a lack of appetite that kept the lions from Daniel.
v25-28 - Much like Nebuchadnezzar before him, Darius proclaims God's majesty in the midst of seeing His power displayed through His people.
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